FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     

March 13, 2019    

Washington, DC   

Jim Nussle, CUNA president/CEO, released the following statement after Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), spoke at the 2019 Credit Union National Association Governmental Affairs Conference (CUNA GAC): 

“Congressman Perlmutter is a true friend of credit unions. We support his diligent efforts to craft a bipartisan bill that would allow financial institutions to serve businesses in states where cannabis is legal and prevalent. Credit unions have been front in center in the effort to get cash off the streets and bring safety back to our communities.” 

CUNA supports the SAFE Banking Act and believes that financial institutions should be permitted to lawfully serve businesses that engage in activities that are authorized under their state laws, even when such activity may be inconsistent with federal law.   

“Credit unions were at the table discussing the difficulties and public safety hazard people face because [of a lack of safe banking]. I expect we’ll get a markup within the next couple months,” Perlmutter said. “This isn’t about whether you like marijuana, it’s about providing financial services, getting cash off the streets and dealing with public safety. We’ve got to deal with it, and I think, this year, we are.” 

Perlmutter also thanked Colorado credit unions who stepped up to help people during the government shutdown. “There are over 296,000 credit union members in my district, when they come to my office you can bet, I listen.” 

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About CUNA:    

Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 115 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org. To find your nearest credit union, visit YourMoneyFurther.com. 

CONTACT:   

Lauren Williams  

CUNA Communications  

202-672-3396